Sarah Megazzini's soccer talent makes her a special player regardless of her extenuating circumstances, but the Yorkville (Ill.) High junior's ability to play with Type 1 diabetes makes her all the more remarkable.

"As my mother said, ‘What 8-year-old would ask to go see a doctor?' " she told the paper. "But I knew something was wrong. Three days spent in the hospital, I was receiving insulin and being educated on how to count carbohydrates, and deal with high and low blood sugar levels."

Nine years later, she's dealing with the same issues. She always will be. But that hasn't stopped her from becoming a two-time returning All-Conference girls' soccer player. As a junior. Checking her blood sugar levels before, during and after both practices and games, Megazzini has led the Foxes back into the Class 2A regional semfiinals later this month after reaching the regional final a year ago.

“We’re still not there, but we’re getting closer to being the type of program we aim to be,” Megazzini told the Sun-Times. “We’ve improved our level of intensity and commitment. It’s the same principles on the field as in the classroom. You have to focus on the task at hand and strive for success.”

Speaking of academics, Megazzini has reportedly made the honor roll each quarter of her high school career while participating in just about every extracurricular activity at Yorkville, including the National Honor Society, student council and choir. Oh, yeah, and she's an All-Conference tennis player, too.